Hawkyard announces retirement

Former Oldham, Swinton Lions and Keighley Cougars player Richie Hawkyard has retired from the game at the age of 33.

Hawkyard started out at Bradford Bulls before moving to Swinton in 2008, where he led them to promotion twice.

He then spent three years at Keighley, where he won the League One Cup in 2016 before signing for Oldham ahead of the 2019 season.

His final game was to help Oldham to the Championship, with an 18-14 win over Newcastle Thunder.

He was due to return to Keighley for the 2020 season, but has now reversed that decision.

He told rugby-league.com: “It’s been a hard decision and one that I haven’t taken lightly but I thought now is the right time to retire before the season starts rather than getting halfway through the season and begin having second thoughts.

“I’ve played Rugby League for 30 years, since I was four years old, and for 17 years as a semi-professional player and it takes a lot of hard work, commitment and a lot of dedication goes into the game but the memories I have from Rugby League will outweigh all of that.”